A Mother’s Special Love — And The Surprise Gift That Changed A Family’s Life

Shanae Rice’s Story

Shanae Rice was 16 when she discovered she was pregnant with Kaidence.

Shanae gave up plans to attend an elite culinary school to invest her life in raising her daughter. She refused to even consider the idea of an abortion.

Midway through the pregnancy, Shanae learned that her baby would suffer from cerebral palsy — a neurological disorder that would make it impossible for Kaidence to speak and difficult for her to move her arms and legs. Then, when Kaidence was born, Shanae’s relationship with Kaidence’s father came to an end, too.

Shanae felt overwhelmed and alone.

Only when she met Jesus at NewSpring Church in 2015 was Shanae able to escape a spiral of depression and self-harm that had set in a few months after her daughter was born.

She saw that God had given her a gift in Kaidence, and that God would give her the strength for every day along with the promise of a bright future for them both.

For Mother’s Day 2016, NewSpring highlighted Shanae’s grit, love, and hope in meeting her daily challenges as a single mom caring for a 4-year-old with a severe disability. NewSpring also surprised Shanae by giving her a disabled-accessible van and a ranch-style home specially renovated for Kaidence’s special needs.

View the photo essay for a glimpse of a day in Shanae and Kaidence's life. Then watch the video at the top of the page for Shanae and Kaidence’s full story, and see how NewSpring lavished love on one unique mom.

May 8, 2016

Sharing your story is a simple and powerful way to tell people about Jesus.

Sharing your story is a simple and powerful way to tell people about Jesus. By talking about what Jesus has done for you, it’s like joining a conversation God is already having with them.